Bloomberg proposes extending social promotion plan to BX and city fifth-graders

Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Thursday a proposal to extend his social promotion plan to the fifth-grade.

Bloomberg says since the plan to end social promotion in the third-grade was a success it should be extended to fifth-grade. The plan, which calls for not promoting fifth-graders who fail standardized tests, would cost the city $20 million for tutoring and summer school. Students who fail the tests would have to re-take them in summer school or face being left back.

The mayor feels targeting the fifth-grade is important because for many kids the following year means heading off to middle school.

Not everyone agrees with the mayor's plan. One school administrator's group says the real focus should be on younger kids, while other officials feel the mayor should have consulted the Education Policy Panel before making the announcement.